Barberry: Plant This or That
- Nuts for Natives
- Mar 26, 2019
- 1 min read
Updated: Jul 12, 2020

Barberries (Berberis thunbergii) have brilliant red fall color and, as a result, were widely sold and planted throughout the Chesapeake watershed. Â They also escaped our gardens and are widely considered invasive.
The good news is there is a terrific native alternative … the blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum ‘Atlantic’).  Blueberries have bright red fall color and more.
Blueberries thrive in moist acidic conditions so planting them where azaleas and rhododendrons do well is a recipe for success. Â In most nurseries, you can find blueberries in the fruit section but they really make great shrubs.
At Nuts for Natives, we usually suggest adding plants to your garden; not removing your existing plants.  Barberry is an exception though — this is a shrub that has been widely spread by birds who eat its berries.  Most experts recommend removing this one. Spring or Fall is a great time to trade barberries for blueberries.

For more information:
Great photos of the stages of blueberry here.
Please note the photo at the top of this post is a stock photo.